New UPL season promises plenty of drama plus more of the same

The 2023/2024 Uganda Premier League season kept us on the edge of our seats, it was the kind of good drama that marketed domestic football to a larger demographic and renewed a sense of hope.

It was a season that kept giving in every sense. From league newbies Kitara Football Club dominating the headlines because of their title ambitions, KCCA Football Club rising above the storms, and how Sports Club Villa generated consistent results to win their record seventeenth (17th ) title after 20 years of pain. 

That said, it will forever be in our memories but now we have to turn the focus to the 2024/2025 UPL season that will commence on September 13, 2024.

The UPL 2024/2025 season fixtures were released last week and as always, we have to ask ourselves if all the 16 teams are ready to rock and roll.

The match-up between KCCA and URA will set the ball rolling on Friday 13, September 2024 at Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo under the floodlights. 

KCCA had an atrocious start to last season’s campaign, losing their first five games which eventually led to the sacking of their head coach Sergio Traguil, but hiring Abdallah Mubiru helped the team turn the storm and steer them to a fifth-place finish. 

It may be hard to remember, but there was a time, if not long ago when URA Football Club was on the verge of winning the Uganda Premier League title, that is three seasons ago, however finishing eighth last season under the stewardship of David Obua did not save some face, so their opening match allows him to make the obua ball stick. 

Newly promoted Lugazi FC will lock horns with Kitara on Saturday 14, September at the magnificent Nakivubo stadium. 

No one counts on Lugazi pulling a shocker this season let alone against Kitara but from what we saw last season, the underdogs are the new kings.

Nakivubo will also host Express and Mbale Heroes at 7 pm, a game we reckon that will be exciting to watch.

Sunday 15, Wakiso Giants will host Bright Stars, Maroons will take on NEC at Luzira grounds and last season’s second runners-up Vipers will launch their title ambitions against UPDF at St Mary’s Kitende. 

The reigning and record champions SC Villa will round off match day 1 against Mbarara City at Namboole stadium on Monday 16, September 2024. 

Whether you feel optimistic or pessimistic about your team's chances ahead of the new season, this is a campaign that will be more than just a kickoff.